DESPITE weather of biblical proportions, day one at Goresbridge kicked off strongly. The trade for the ponies and older stock was lively from the get-go, and by close of play late into Wednesday evening, six horses realised five-figure returns.
The mixed catalogue produced a healthy average of €5,432 (horses) and €3,969 (ponies) together with an equally stout clearance of 75% (no 2020 equivalent sale) and a daily turnover of €516,950.
Once again, the online bidding facility proved its worth, and with 19 lots sold through the medium and with other sales boosted, it made a notable difference to the proceedings. As a result, traders found it hard to compete, but nevertheless they made a considerable impact on the day’s trading, reporting that business – especially in the UK, was very strong.
“Obviously satisfied again, and I’m delighted to see the trade holding up so remarkably well,” commented Goresbridge’s Martin Donohoe. “Long may it continue to do so!”
Top honours at €14,000 fell to Thurles-based Michael Ryan, whose smart five-year-old Drombane Classic (Lot 74) was, for many, the standout lot of the day. A catalogue pick on paper, the home-bred son of OBOS Quality was out of Drombane Dilemma (VDL Arkansas) and a half-brother to the former Go For Gold graduate Drombane Dynamite, now eventing in America (CCI3*).
He had clocked up four SJI points under regular rider Denis Collins, who was notably returning to ride at Gorsebridge for the first time since breaking his leg several years ago.
The battle for ownership developed into a tussle between online and in house customers, but none was as determined as successful bidder Katrina Hirst. A regular at the venue, Hirst counts among the top show producers in the UK, but she explained this good-looking gelding could have several options open to him. “We have a few by the same sire,” said Norfolk-based Hirst.” We also have some show jumpers, so he can go down that route as well as working hunter classes.”
As the weather outside the sale ring deteriorated, the prices got stronger, and selling as one of the last lots of the night, Conor Murphy’s Harle Du Puissance (Lot 171) changed hands for €13,000. Another pre-sale’s pick, this seven-year-old (out of Harle Trump by Harlequin du Carel) was described as a top-end riding club/amateur horse and had a career total of 31 SJI points gained in classes to 1.20m.
He also competed in the Balmoral performance horse championships and was runner-up in the All Ireland pony club team’s hunter trials ridden by a 13-year-old novice rider.
Bidding from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Co Cork resident Rebecca O’Sullivan picked up the tab for this good sort, while just a few lots earlier Tom Magee’s impressive Fiorucci (Lot 163) realised €12,500. The latter, who boasts a stout blacktype pedigree, is by For Pleasure out of the prolific broodmare Icing, by Cruising. Produced on the day by Gareth Swaile, the five-year-old looked astutely bought by Leicestershire-based Graham Smith (husband of regular British squad rider Holly).
Another potential jumper is Tomas Kinsella’s Can You Tell Me The Future (Lot 122) a five-year-old mare by Future Trend out of Drominboy Princess (Cougar). Purchased last year for his daughter, and produced at Barnadown in Co Wexford by resident rider Lucy Morgan, this eyecatcher already has a career total of 32 SJI points.
Online buyer J. Simpson made the final bid for this mare, who was described as a likely, junior, young rider prospect.
Co Wexford event rider Alex Donohoe successfully wrapped up a busy few weeks, when selling her own Lisbane Cavalier (Lot 109) for €10,000. She has just returned from competing for Ireland in Aachen and Boekelo, and was delighted with the sale of the seven-year-old who was sourced from Paul Kingston about 18 months ago.
Under Kingston, he had accumulated 19 SJI points and has since run in a few EI events. This useful sort was snapped up by the northern England-based trading yard of JTW Horse Sales Ltd.
Lisbane Cavalier (Lot 109), pictured with Wexford event rider Alex Donohoe, at Goresbridge Sales fetched €10,000 from UK-based JTW Horse Sales Ltd \ Sally Parkyn
Strong cob trade
The market for cobs and quiet riding horses was extraordinary. Demand appeared unquenchable, as Jim Noonan’s glowingly described 10-year-year old by Spriggan (Lot 145) was secured by Anja Cantillon for €10,000 and Keith Wilson’s 11-year-old 15.1 gelding Flash (Lot 113), changed hands for €9,500.
The latter illustrated marketing at its best, as the pre-sales video had featured Wilson’s four-year-old son Luke looking safe and happy on board. “We had considered keeping him for Luke,” reported Wilson afterwards. “But unfortunately it seemed just too long to wait.”
His sale was one of the most protracted of the day, with determined Athlone buyer Annette Rohan, finally getting the better of an online customer. Flash will now be used as a general fun horse, and an eventual replacement for Rohan’s current ride who is 26 years old.
There were a number of full thoroughbreds in the catalogue, the best of which was Dermot Forde’s Selaron Steps (Lot 59), a five-year-old event horse by Footstepsinthesand. Having run four times on the flat, this gelding has adapted well to his new career as an event horse and was a winner at Crecora with Orlaith Delamare. Initially led out unsold, the sale was finalised at €9,000 and he will now head to the Austrian yard of regular buyer Claudia Kaindl.
Rossies Delight (Lot 30), pictured with Edie Codd, fetched €7,600 at Goresbridge Sales this week \ Sally Parkyn
Ponies
Returning a 75% clearance, the pony session was lively enough. Heading the 18 who changed hands was Hannah Wood’s eyecatching Rossies Delight (Lot 30) a 13.2 hh mare. Beautifully produced and presented by the owner’s daughter Edie, she was knocked down to a cash buyer at €7,600. Also selling well at €7,000 was the preceding lot, Fionns Pride an 11-year-old by Castlestrange Fionn out of Beechmount Star (Moy Johnnys Pride). The winner of 56 SJI points this season, she was secured by the Sligo-based trading yard of Tristran Gray.
Full report and results for the final two days of three- and four-year-olds will be in next week’s issue.
Top Lots